In-line flow meter

ABSTRACT

A device for measuring flow is provided. Tubing having a polymer therein is activated, followed by downstream detection of agents released by the polymer. The downstream detection of the agents provides for a calculation of the flow to be performed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a non-provisional application that claimspriority to a provisional application Ser. No. 61/433,408, filed Jan.17, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a device and method for measuringflow. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a device andmethod for measuring flow with decreased disturbance of the flow beingmeasured.

2. Description of the Related Art

Traditional in-line flowmeters are mechanical in nature and requirereading of an indicator at the location of the installed in-lineflowmeter. One such traditional flowmeter is marketed as the FL500Series In-Line of Flowmeters by Omega Engineering.

The general operation of the traditional flowmeter provides for aflowing fluid to enter at one end of a mechanical device housinginstalled in the flowing fluid tubing or pipe. The flowing fluid forcesa piston to move within the flowmeter apparatus against a spring. Thespring is compressed relative to the pressure generated by the flowingfluid. The piston also accommodates the flowing fluid, allowing it topass around the piston periphery and continue through the outlet of theinline flowmeter.

A portion of the piston is visible through a transparent portion of thehousing. The position of the piston is viewed under a scale printed onthe transparent portion. The position of the piston relative to thescale gives the fluid flow rate. Accordingly, traditional mechanicalflowmeters rely on indirect pressure measurement by the spring loadedpiston.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a flow meter including a flow vesselhaving a lumen; a medium disposed in communication with the lumen, themedium holding an agent; an emission site proximate the medium andincluding at least one energy receiver configured to receive energy andprovide for release of the agent from the medium; and a detection sitespaced apart downstream from the emission site, the detection siteincluding at least one detector providing for detection of the presenceof the agent.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofdetecting a flow rate in a flow vessel is provided including providing amedium having an agent bonded thereto, the medium and agent beingdisposed to be in communication with a lumen of the flow vessel; flowingmatter through the flow vessel; providing energy to the flow vessel toun-bond the agent from the medium such that the agent intermixes withthe matter flowing in the flow vessel; and detecting presence of theagent at a known point downstream from the medium.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a flow meteris provided including a sensor; a flow vessel having a lumen; anagent-infused-polymer disposed in communication with the lumen; anemission site proximate the medium and including at least one energyreceiver configured to receive energy at the direction of the sensor andprovide for release of the agent from the polymer; and a detection sitespaced apart downstream from the emission site by a first distance, thefirst distance being provided to the sensor, the detection siteincluding a light source projecting light across the lumen and at leastone detector providing for detection of the presence of the agent bymonitoring an amount of the projected light that is detected by the atleast one detector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent and the present disclosure itself will be betterunderstood by reference to the following description of embodiments ofthe present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of an integrated flowmeter of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1 a is a cross sectional view of the integrated flow meter of FIG.1;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of an alternative embodiment integrated flowmeter;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of an alternative embodiment integrated flowmeter;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a detector;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the emitter of FIG. 4 installed in acuff;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of another embodiment of adetector;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the detector of that includes the partshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a chart showing an exemplary light intensity pattern detectedusing the flowmeter of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 provides an illustrative flow path in the form of tube 10.Although the flow path is illustrated and described herein as tube 10,flow paths of the present disclosure may also include otherconfigurations. Tube 10 includes emitter location 12, and detectorlocation 14 spaced apart from emitter location. Tube 10 is furthercoupled to sensor 100.

Tube 10 is illustratively constructed from clear plastic tubing.Embodiments are also envisioned where tube 10 is constructed from fiberoptic tubing. Still further, embodiments are envisioned where tube 10 isconstructed from a combination of clear plastic tubing (or any othersuitable tubing) and fiber optic tubing. The fiber optic portion of tube10 is provided with a desired diffraction gradient. A diffractiongradient is an expression of the amount of light that is propagated(versus lost). For example, tubing can be provided that loses 10% of itsenergy every inch. Thus, the amount of light present five inches awayfrom a source is approximately 59% the amount originally provided at thesource.

Emitter location 12 includes polymer 20 disposed within lumen 16 of tube10. Polymer 20 includes an optically detectable agent 22 linked byphotolabile bonds to a polymer matrix. One such polymer 20 is discussedin U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0118696 (APPARATUS ANDMETHODS FOR THE CONTROLLABLE MODIFICATION OF COMPOUND CONCENTRATION IN ATUBE, filed Oct. 31, 2007) which is expressly incorporated herein byreference. Emitter location 12 further includes energy pathway 30. Inthe present example, polymer 20 is disposed within tube 10 to provide atleast one lumen for fluid flow through polymer 20. Additionalembodiments are envisioned where the lumen within polymer is of an equalsize to lumen 16 and polymer 20 is provided in a portion of increaseddiameter. Still other embodiments are envisioned where polymer 20 is notwithin lumen 16, but rather sits outside tube 10 but that is still ableto allow transfer of agents 22 into lumen 16.

In one embodiment, polymer 20 is a hydrogel, and detectable agents 22are photolabily-linked to the molecules of the hydrogel. The photolabilelinkages between agents 22 and the hydrogel are illustratively broken byexposing the photolabile bond with the proper wavelength of radiation tobreak the photolabile bond. In one embodiment, the source of radiationis a laser tuned to a band of wavelengths that is sufficient to breakthe photolabile links. However, the present invention also incorporatesthose embodiments in which the source of radiation includes lasersoperating over wide ranges of wavelengths and also incoherent light.

Detector location 14 includes detector 32. As shown in FIG. 1, detector32 includes energy supply pathway 34 and energy return pathway 36.Pathways 34, 36 are positioned such that energy supplied by pathway 34can, at least partially, be received and transmitted by pathway 36.

Pathways 30, 34, 36 are coupled to sensor 100. Pathways 30, 34, 36 areillustratively fiber optic strands. Illustratively, pathways 30, 34, 36are end-glow fiber optic strands.

Sensor/controller 100 includes modules that are able to convert electricsignals to optical signals used in pathways 30, 34, 36. Sensor 100 isshown as an integrated member to which pathways 30, 34, 36 directlyconnect. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments areenvisioned where the modules are distinct from sensor 100 such thatthere are electronic leads between sensor 100 and the modules forcommunication therebetween. Sensor 100 includes electronic storage thatknows various physical characteristics of the setup of tube 10, emitterlocations 12, and detector location 14.

In use, tube 10 contains a flowing fluid, such as a liquid or a gas andcan also be a flow of solid particulate matter such as an aerosol orsolid microparticles. The fluid flows within tube 10 and through polymer20 along direction 1000. According to a programmed setting or manualengagement, sensor 100 emits a signal that causes energy to be conductedalong pathway 30.

The emitted energy travels along pathway 30 and is then emitted in tube10 at emitter 12 such that polymer 20 is exposed thereto. As describedin more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0118696,exposure of the provided energy on polymer 20 causes release of agents22. In the illustrated embodiment, the emitted energy is a pulse oflight, such as that generated by a laser of a prescribed frequency.

Agents 22 are thereby released from bonds holding them in place. Therelease forms a bolus of agents 22. The size of the bolus of agents 22is determined by the intensity of light provided at emitter location 12and the diffraction gradient of tube 10. Initially, polymer 20 is fullof agents 22. Accordingly, the intensity of the provided light is chosensuch that the agents 22 within the first inch (or other desired length)will receive light having enough energy to break the photolabile bonds.Accordingly, agents 22 within the first inch will be released whileagents 22 beyond the first inch will not be subjected to enough energyto break the bonds. A subsequent desired activation of the system willrequire increased light intensity such that, given the diffractiongradient, light will reach another section of polymer having agents 22therein for release. In the provided example shown in FIG. 1, emitterlocations 12 are provided at each end of the section of polymer 20.Thus, at the point that half the agents 22 are released, a secondemitter location can be used instead, thereby reducing the amount ofenergy needed to achieve release. It should also be appreciated thatthis discrete sectioning of where agents 22 are being released from alsoallows increased specificity with respect to the distance that agents 22must travel to reach detector location 14.

The release frees the bolus of agents 22 to be subjected to the forcespresented by the fluid flowing in tube 10. Such forces carry agents 22in direction 1000. Eventually, the flow causes agents 22 to arrive atdetector location 14.

As previously noted, detector location 14 has pathways 34, 36. Pathway34 delivers sensor light 200 to the outer tubing surface. This light 200then proceeds through the tubing body through a clear portion of thetubing wall. Light 200 then enters the tubing lumen and provides a beamof light 206 which traverses the diameter of the tubing lumen, whereflowing fluid exists, reaching the opposite side of the lumen. Theexiting light 207 passes out of the tubing in a similar fashion as itentered on the opposite side of the tubing and is carried away throughpathway 36. Both light entering the detector location 14 as light 200,and light exiting the detector location 14 as light 207 can easily becarried long distances from commonly available light energy sources, orto suitable commonly available light detectors for processing.

The laser light 200 has a base transference property that defines anamount of light expected to traverse tube 10 and the fluid and bereceived by pathway 36. The arrival of agents 22 provide that the amountof light received by pathway 36 is reduced.

A characteristic of agent 22 is that it can absorb and/or deflect light200 supplied through the wall of tube 10. When the bolus of agent 22passes through the beam 206, a portion of the light 200 will beabsorbed/deflected before the remaining light exits as light 207. Light207 can travel a substantial distance so that its intensity can bedetermined using standard light detectors.

FIG. 8 represents the intensity 113 of light 207 over time. Time t1(114) represents the time when the bolus of light is provided to emitterlocation 12, thereby releasing a portion of agent 22. Time t2 (115)represents the time when the bolus of agent 22 passes through the beamat detector location 14. At time 115 the intensity 113 measurement oflight 207 decreases due to light absorbance/deflection of agents 22.

Sensor 100 knows when energy was emitted along pathway 30, knows theamount of light expected to traverse tube 10 in the absence of agents 22in the fluid, and detects the amount of light traversing tube 10 whenagents 22 are present in the fluid. Sensor 100 detects agents 22 as theypass through detector location 14 using photonic absorbance/deflectiondifferences. Sensor 100 further knows the distance between emitterlocation 12 and detector location 14.

Accordingly, the absorbance/deflection difference allows sensor 100 todetermine the time between release t1 and arrival t2 of agents 22. Byalso knowing the distance between emitter location 12 and detectorlocation 14 as well as by knowing other factors that impact flow ofagents 22, a flow rate of the fluid within tube 10 can be determined.

Agents 22 can be considered in solution with a portion of fluidimmediately surrounding polymer 20 after release at location 12. Polymer20 is also in contact with the convective flowing fluid material. It isanticipated that free agents 22 in solution may take some time to fullymerge with the convective fluid flow. If significant, this finitetime-lag, t0, can be quantified from calibration measurements forvarious flowrates.

The linear distance along the tube or pipe between locations 12, 14 canbe obtained/supplied as d1. The rate of the flowing fluid (length/time)can be calculated directly using the formula d1/(t2−(t0+t1)).

This type of flowmeter develops almost no resistance to fluid flow,thereby not affecting pressure gradients on either side of the newin-line flowmeter. Possible disturbance of the flowing fluids can resultin increased turbulence as fluid passes through the traditionalflowmeter thereby creating increased shearing energies within the fluidwhich may contribute to degradation of fluid characteristics sensitiveto shear stresses.

The in-line flowmeter of the present disclosure also is linear in itsoperation and performs equally well at both relatively fast and slowflowrates. A mechanical in-line flowmeter is potentially limited bynonlinear spring action responses, thus potentially being insensitive tovery slow and very fast flowrates. Additionally, the mechanical naturecan wear out and change over time, while the new in-line flowmeterremains constant in its operation, as long as agent 22 is present.Mechanical flowmeters can cause increasing head pressure, or pressure onthe inlet side as compared to the outlet side. These pressuredifferentials are additive so that multiple mechanical flowmeters placedin-line create greater differences in pressure when comparing the inletpressure to the final exit pressure. In a large plant this can be amajor factor in process control.

It should also be appreciated that there are no electrical componentsdirectly associated with the new in-line flowmeter. For remote sensingof the traditional in-line flowmeter electromechanical mechanisms arerequired, adding to the complexity, susceptibility to failure, and costof remote sensing. Local sensing of the mechanical flowmeter isavailable by observing a window, either personally or possibly remotelyby camera.

The advantages of not disturbing the flowing fluid mechanically can beexploited for fluids susceptible to clogging or shearing stresses, orvery fast or very slow (iv infusions) flowrates. FIG. 3 shows one suchimplementation. FIG. 3 shows iv bag 40 with output tubing 42. Outputtubing 42 is provided with emitter location 12 and detector location 14.As described above, a flow rate within tubing 42 can thus be assessed.

The advantages of measuring flowrate with no mechanical mechanisms andno electromechanical elements allows measuring flowrates of explosive orvolatile fluids (airplane/automobile fuel control and delivery). Thisallows for safer handling of fuel transport and handling relative to thetraditional flowrate measuring. It should be appreciated that agent 22is chosen such that its presence has minimal or no effect upon thepurpose of the fluid (such as in fuel delivery, agent 22 is chosen suchthat it does not have a detrimental effect upon the fuel's ability to beused in an engine and so as to not leave undesired residues).

Additionally, the in-line flowmeter of the present disclosure providesno moving parts, thereby reducing failure points. Operation of theflowmeter also allows that very high and very low flow rates can bedetected. Traditional flow meters often have to pick which of high andlow flow rates they aim to accurately measure.

It should be appreciated that operation of flow meter tubing 10 relieson degradation/alteration of polymer 20 to release agent 22.Accordingly, each activation of emitter location 12 uses some of thediscrete and finite amount of agent 22 present within polymer 20.Accordingly, while this presents little problem in instances where tube10 is intended to be disposable, such as tubing 42, more permanent andlong standing implementations may benefit from the ability to replenishagent 22 and polymer 20.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment that provides for easy replenishment of agent22 and polymer 20. Tube 10′, rather than being the primary fluidpathway, is provided as an auxiliary pathway. If agent 22 is depleted,emitter location 12 can be clipped out, or otherwise removed, andreplaced by a new emitter location 12 with a new supply of polymer 20and agent 22. Embodiments are envisioned where polymer 20 and agents 22are provided as part of removable cartridges that are readily removableand replaceable. Spent cartridges or sections can then be “recharged” byintroducing additional agents 22 and photolabily bonding agents 22 topolymer 20.

In addition to depletion of agents 22, the release response of polymer20 can be affected by the distance that polymer 20 is located from theexact spot that energy is applied to tube 10. As noted, release ofagents 22 is dependent upon provided energy coming into contact with thephotolabile bonds with agents 22. The most likely bonds to interfacewith energy are those closest to the interface of pathway 30 with tube10. Accordingly, agents 22 closest to pathway 30 are most likely to bebroken. As more agent 22 is released, the location of the majority ofviable agent 22 still available to be released becomes located fartherfrom entry emitter disc pathway 30. Additionally, transmittance ofenergy along pathway 30 and tube 10 may degrade with increased distance(via the set diffraction gradient). Accordingly, it is envisioned thatenergy is supplied with increased intensity or magnitude to offset anyexpected losses. Accordingly, any expected reduction in response bypolymer 20 due to distance can be offset by increased energy supply.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment detector location 14″. Detector location14″ provides energy pathways 34, 36 that interface with ring 50″ to actas a detector. Ring 50″ can be located within a butt joint housingsimilarly to that discussed below (see butt joint housing 60 of FIG. 5).

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment emitter location 12′. Emitter location12′ provides energy pathway 30 that interfaces with ring 50 of“side-glow” fiber optic material. The light emission profile of ring 50can be customized as desired by applying opaque coatings to surfaceswhere light emission is not desired. Accordingly, in the providedexample, energy supplied to ring 50 is emitted therefrom along side 54.Ring 50 is disposed within butt-joint housing 60. Butt joint housing 60is provided with an interior diameter substantially equal to the outerdiameter of ring 50. Ring 50 is sized such that its outer diameter issubstantially equal to the outer diameter of tubing 10″. Tubing 10″ isfiber optic tubing sized to be received within butt-joint housing 60. Asshown in FIG. 5, tubing 10″ is received within butt-joint housing 60 toabut ring 50 and create a fluid seal therebetween. Tubing 10″ haspolymer 20 disposed therein. Accordingly, energy supplied to ring 50 issupplied to tubing 10″ and propagated thereby. The energy eventuallyencounters polymer 20 to cause release of agent 22.

FIG. 6 shows one half of another embodiment detector location 14′.Detector location 14′ is attachable to tubing 10, 10′, 10″ downstream ofthe location of polymer 20. (Additionally, the half shown in FIG. 6could also be used as another embodiment emitter location 12.) Bothhalves of detector location 14′ are shown in FIG. 7. Other embodimentsare envisioned where the halves of detector location 14′ are notseparate but otherwise provide for selective application to tubing 10,10′, 10″. Detector location 14′ is attachable to allow placement onotherwise standard tubing. It should be appreciated that the variableplacement of detector location 14′ requires that such placement becommunicated or input to sensor 100. Detector location 14′ operates likedetector location 14 by providing energy and capturing energy that isable to traverse tubing 10, 10′, 10″ and fluid therein.

Embodiments are also envisioned where patterns in the signal of exitinglight 207 are analyzed by sensor 100. Such signal analysis can thenprovide flow characteristics such as turbidity, viscosity, andturbulence. Additionally, embodiments are envisioned where more than onesensor is installed downstream to be able to determine wave frontcharacterization and added accuracy.

While this invention has been described as having preferred designs, thepresent invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow meter including: a flow vessel having alumen; a medium disposed in the lumen, the medium bonded to an agent; anemission site at which the medium is fixed and the emission siteincluding at least one energy receiver configured to receive energy andprovide for release of the agent from the medium; and a detection sitespaced apart downstream from the emission site, the detection siteincluding at least one detector providing for detection of the presenceof the agent.
 2. The meter of claim 1, wherein the medium is a polymer.3. The meter of claim 2, wherein the polymer is bonded to the agent viaphotolabile bonds.
 4. The meter of claim 1, wherein the agent performsat least one of absorbing light and scattering light.
 5. The meter ofclaim 1, wherein the emission site includes fiber optic tubing.
 6. Themeter of claim 1, further including a sensor, the sensor receiving anindication of when energy is received at the emission site and thesensor receiving an indication of when agent is present at the detectionsite.
 7. The meter of claim 6, wherein the sensor includes software toanalyze the indication of when agent is present at the detection site toperform pattern recognition and determine at least one of turbidity,viscosity, and turbulence of a measured flow.
 8. The meter of claim 6,wherein the sensor compares the indication of when energy is received atthe emission site and the indication of when agent is present at thedetection site to determine a flow rate of matter within the lumen. 9.The meter of claim 1, wherein the detector includes a light source and alight detector, the detector providing detection of transmittance oflight from the light source.
 10. The meter of claim 1, wherein theenergy is not electrical.
 11. The meter of claim 1, wherein the flowvessel is devoid from moving parts, excepting that the agent may moveonce released from the medium.
 12. The meter of claim 1, wherein themedium is fixed within the lumen.
 13. A method of detecting a flow ratein a flow vessel including: providing a medium having an agent bondedthereto, the medium and agent being disposed to be in communication witha lumen of the flow vessel, the medium being fixed relative to thelumen; flowing matter through the flow vessel; providing energy to theflow vessel to un-bond the agent from the medium such that the agentintermixes with the matter flowing in the flow vessel; detectingpresence of the agent at a known point downstream from the medium; anddetermining a rate of flow of the matter within the flow vessel based onthe detection of the agent at the known point.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the agent is photolabily bonded to a polymer coupled to theflow vessel.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a mediumincludes providing a polymer.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thepolymer is bonded to the agent via photolabile bonds.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the energy is light energy.
 18. The method of claim13, further including providing a sensor, receiving an indication ofwhen energy is received at the emission site, and receiving anindication of when agent is present at the known point.
 19. A flow meterincluding: a sensor; a flow vessel having a lumen; anagent-infused-polymer fixed in communication with the lumen; an emissionsite proximate the fixed polymer and including at least one energyreceiver configured to receive energy based upon an instruction from thesensor and provide for release of the agent from the polymer; and adetection site spaced apart downstream from the emission site by a firstdistance, the first distance being provided to the sensor, the detectionsite including a light source projecting light across the lumen and atleast one detector providing for detection of the presence of the agentby monitoring an amount of the projected light that is detected by theat least one detector.
 20. The meter of claim 19, wherein the emissionsite includes fiber optic tubing with a defined diffraction gradientthat, along with an intensity of provided energy, determines an amountof agent released into the lumen.
 21. The meter of claim 19, wherein thepolymer and agent of the agent-infused-polymer are bonded together viaphotolabile bonds.